Himachal allows killing of Nilgai

Shimla: Taking note of the severe damage being caused to standing crops by nilgai in the state, the government today relaxed the norms to allow killing of the animal. The permission will apply only to the areas falling under the forest divisions of Una, Bilaspur, Nurpur (Kangra), Paonta and Nalagarh.

Over the last few years, farmers from Una, Bilaspur, Kangra, Sirmour and Solan districts sharing borders with neighbouring states had staged several protests and made requests to the government to allow the killing of blue bulls.

After a sustained campaign in 18 panchayats of Una district, the farmers gathered at Beet on Monday to demonstrate and submit a memorandum to the chief minister.

Many two-wheeler riders have died in the past due to sudden encounters with animals on hill roads at night.

According to the government’s decision taken earlier this week, the divisional forest officer and range officers have been authorised to issue permits for killing blue bulls. The one-time licence shall be given for four weeks only, during which a maximum of two blue bulls can be killed. The farmers will also need to produce evidence in this regard before the officer concerned. The licence can be extended to a maximum of four more week.

The government specified that people would have to make their own provision for killing the animal and the forest department would not execute it.